Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2017 In Somerset – Preview

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2017 in Somerset – Preview

It has been a very busy and successful year for the Homebuilding and Renovating Shows. Now, it is time for the final part of the show in 2017. On the 18-19th November at the Bath & West Showground, self-build enthusiasts will visit the biggest homebuilding show in the South West. This year, the venue will feature over 120 exhibitors and will present 12 lectures in the Seminar Theatre and 24 Masterclasses.

If you have not managed to visit any Self Building shows this year, and you are undertaking a self-build project soon, you should definitely consider this one. Sit comfortably, read our preview and find out how beneficial it will be for your future dream home.

Before you start reading this article, make sure you checked our general article about the HBR shows in 2017. The article presents very useful tips that will help you to get the most out of the show.

As in all of our previous preview articles, we have divided the article into four main categories of recommendations, that in our opinion are the most useful for you as a self-builder to attend.

Our team has picked the most valuable talks and masterclasses for self-builders. We have also prepared a list of experts you should speak to and exhibitors that can help you make up your mind, whether you are looking for an optimal construction system or the renewables for your new home.

The seminars at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset are divided between two theatres: Seminar and Masterclass. In the first one, the self-build experts will be delivering talks on all the important parts of the self-build process. Below are our top picks for the Seminar Theatre:

Top 7 Seminars Theatre Talks:

1. A beginner’s guide to building your own homeBob Branscombe – Building Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating MagazineEveryday at 10:30-11:00

Learn how you can build your own individually designed home and save up to 30% on completed market value. Find out the best way to find a plot, get a self-build mortgage, work out what you can afford to build and develop a design scheme. Plus how to decide whether to use a builder, manage the project yourself or get involved on DIY basis and reduce costs even further.

2. Planning Permission: How to find your way through the planning mazeSally Tagg – Planning Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating MagazineEveryday at 11:00-11:30

An introduction to the planning system. Discover the tactics that will maximise your chances of getting consent for your homebuilding or renovating project. Learn how the system works, who makes the decisions, how to influence them, when to compromise, when to appeal and more.

Find out how to find the right builder for your project, from small local building firms to main contractors to custom build ‘turn-key’ home providers. Learn how to check their credentials and make sure you are working with reputable firms. Discover the key to comparing quotes from builders to find the best value for money.

Discover how to search for plots using professional land finding techniques and how to assess a site’s development potential, including serviced plots for sale on a larger custom build development. Plus a look at the significance of the ‘Right to Build’ registers – and how to ensure your local authority brings forward opportunities for individual and group Self Build in your area.

5. How to build your own home for under £100.000Bob Branscombe – Building Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating MagazineEveryday at 14:00-14:30

Discover how to build your home on a tight budget without sacrificing quality or size. Learn how factors such as your choice of materials, fixtures and fittings, design complexity, scale and effective project management all influence construction costs. Whatever your budget, this session will ensure you avoid waste and maximise value.

6. Permitted Development: How to improve your home without having to apply for planning permissionMichael Holmes – Director of Content at Homebuilding & Renovating MagazineEveryday at 15:00-15:30

An introduction to permitted development rights – the extensions, improvements and alterations you can make to your home without having to submit a planning application. Learn how to make the most of the recent relaxation of permitted development rules in England, plus how to combine Permitted Development and Planning Permission to maximise development potential.

7. The most common self build and renovation mistakes and how to avoid themChris Reeves – Solicitor & Legal Expert at Homebuilding & Renovating MagazineEveryday at 16:00-16:30

Forewarned is forearmed: learn how to keep your self-build or renovation project firmly on the rails by avoiding the most common disputes and disagreements that arise during the project with designers, builders and suppliers, plus a guide on to how best to resolve difficulties if they come up.

MASTERCLASS THEATRE TALKS

The Masterclass Theatre features exhibitors who will discuss their products and share information from their area of expertise. The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset will offer 24 masterclasses, below we present our top 7 picks for the show:

The Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset offers the chance to get first-hand advice from some of the top self-build experts in the UK. So bring your plans, ideas and any issues you have regarding your project to the Advice Centre. This is an amazing opportunity to get valuable information, no matter which stage of your homebuilding project you are at. Some of the experts you will be able to speak to in Somerset are:

Top Experts For Consultations:

Bob Branscombe

A chartered surveyor with over 25 years in construction and consultancy, Bob has combined the industry realm with the self-build world via a long-time obsession with hands on self building. If you need some help with the evaluation of your property or to discuss structural issues of your Self Build, Bob is the man you should see!

Michael Holmes

One of the country’s leading property experts, presenter of multiple property TV Shows and the Chair of the NaCSBA – organisation founded to support self-builders throughout the UK. His book, ‘Renovating for Profit’, is the definitive guide to home renovations that makes a difference to the value of your property. Michael cannot be missed by any conscious self-builder.

Jason Orme

Jason Orme was the long-time Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating and is now Editorial Director. He has been writing about self-build and renovation for 18-years and during that time has given advice to hundreds of people taking on major building projects to their homes. He is an expert on all aspects of building or renovating from construction systems and finding land to energy efficiency and dealing with builders and in recent years has advised the Government on ways to make self-building easier for everyone.

Tim Pullen

One of the biggest eco-expert in the industry. Contributor to many magazines and newspapers, including the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. He regularly presents seminars and training on sustainable building and renewable energy, and has written three books on this. If energy efficiency is a priority for your project, you cannot miss this opportunity to speak to Tim!

Chris Reeves

Chris is an interesting type of lawyer, wearing 2 hats – lawyer and builder. An interest in construction law led Chris to being invited to join a regional law firm to deal with building disputes. Chris qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and is now a partner with a leading firm of lawyers. Chris is proud of his grass roots in the trade.

Sally Tagg

A planning expert with a successful track record of achieving planning permission for a wide variety of clients including individual self-builders and landowners seeking to unlock the development potential of their land. If you think, that your project may be challenging in terms of achieving planning approval, or just want to give yourself peace of mind, consultation with Sally is recommended!

There will be over 120 exhibitors at the Homebuilding & Renovating show in Somerset. You will have the chance to explore their various products and services, which can be useful in supporting your self-build dream come true. There will be companies who specialise in design, renewables, exteriors, interiors, financial services and many other services and products related to self building. It was a really difficult task, but we picked the top 5 exhibitors you should visit when planning a self-build venture:

Aedis is a national, independent specialist in building control, compliance, structural warranties, sustainability and safety. So if your project has any contentious planning issues come to stand no. 102 and speak to their specialists!

Internorm, the leading window brand in Europe, offers high quality low-energy and Passive House window and door systems. At this year’s Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset, Internorm will be offering visitors to its stand one of the widest range of Passivhaus and low energy windows and doors on offer. If you are interested in building a low energy home, you need to come over to stand no. 328 and check out what they have to offer.

With over 20 years of experience and over 1,000 Ground and Air Source Heat Pump projects across the UK, award winning Smart Renewable Heat are Renewable Heat experts. They specialise in designing, supplying, installing, commissioning and maintaining bespoke, energy efficient, heating solution.

Browns Garden buildings are British designed and manufactured using a certified responsible timber source. This combined with innovative design and the use of modern roofing materials, doors and windows a Browns garden building will enhance the appearance of your garden.

The company is run by husband and wife team Paul and Lisa. They specialise in creating handmade fused glass art and coloured glass splashbacks for both domestic and commercial environments. From glass art windows and doors, lighting, bowls and table accessories as well as outdoor glass, as well as glass art for radiators, there are few limits as to what can be made. If you are thinking about interiors for your home, maybe it is worth to have a chat with the experts at stand no. 400.

The Homebuilding & Renovating show holds a plethora of information for a prospective self-builder. The recommendations we have created are (in our opinion), the best solutions for people planning to build their dream home.

However, this does not mean that the other seminars, experts or exhibitors are not worth seeing. Depending on the priorities of your project it may be more appropriate to attend other talks. It is worth the effort and time to prepare well for the show, as what you will learn will definitely influence the final outcome of your project!

Are you going to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Somerset? What seminars, experts and exhibitors are on your shortlist? Have you already been to one? What are your opinions? Was it helpful? Do you have any advice for others? Share your opinions in the comment section below!